DATRON evo 600: The Next Generation of High‑Speed, High‑Precision Dispensing

In 1998, DATRON’s engineering team pioneered a breakthrough by replacing a traditional spindle with a metered pump, giving birth to the first commercial dispensing system. This prototype evolved into the PR0500 line, which has driven DATRON’s leadership in precision bead dispensing for more than 25 years.

Half of all DATRON installations are engineered to tackle the toughest challenge in the industry: dispensing highly filled, abrasive materials such as EMI‑shielding gaskets that contain silver, nickel, copper, or carbon. The secret lies in DATRON’s patented gear‑pump design, synchronised with the machine’s motion‑control system. Dual, independently driven gears deliver a perfectly uniform bead, allowing precise control of volume, height, and width— even at variable speeds and in critical start/stop zones.

Building on decades of expertise, DATRON released the DATRON evo 600 in 2024—a complete redesign that redefines performance standards in industrial dispensing.

A New Design for a New Era

As components shrink and processes demand ever greater precision, speed, and 24/7 reliability, the older generation of DATRON machines needed a generational leap. The evo 600 was engineered to meet these goals:

• Significantly faster dispensing and higher accuracy
• Modern, high‑performance control platform
• Intuitive touchscreen interface
• Seamless integration with common CAD/CAM systems
• Global material‑parameter database
• Touchless optical scanning for part measurement and inline bead‑height control
• Streamlined cell integration
• Enhanced operator ergonomics

Performance That Redefines Speed and Precision

High‑volume production demands speed without compromising accuracy. The evo 600’s new servo‑drive system doubles dispensing speed compared to the legacy system: legacy axes ran at 16 m/min; the evo 600 reaches up to 50 m/min. Accuracy improves from ±50 µm to ±20 µm repeatability. Optimised acceleration and deceleration allow full‑speed motion over short distances—crucial for small, complex geometries.

Project Manager Dirk Iller says, “Our German customer operates a three‑shift line with thousands of parts. Every second counts, and the evo 600 delivers massive time savings.”

Result: lower cost per part, higher accuracy, and faster cycle times.

Redesigned From the Ground Up

To achieve these gains, DATRON’s R&D team started from scratch. The new design incorporates modern, widely available components, reducing cost, improving supply‑chain flexibility, and maintaining consistent inventory levels while enhancing performance and reliability.

Smart Control, Familiar Interface

DATRON adapted its proven CNC control platform for dispensing. The touchscreen interface uses intuitive smartphone gestures—tap, swipe, pinch—making operation easy and cutting training time. Optional features such as an integrated camera, touch probe, or confocal scanner accelerate setup and ensure precision. Shared components with DATRON’s CNC systems cut manufacturing costs and guarantee spare‑parts availability.

For long production runs, DATRON can pre‑program and validate parts before installation—allowing customers to begin full production in days, not weeks.

Streamlined Programming with CAD/CAM Integration

Rather than developing proprietary software, DATRON leverages popular CAD/CAM tools like Fusion 360 and Mastercam. Users export G‑code from existing workflows and import it directly into the evo 600, eliminating extra training or software investments. Dispensing‑specific strategies—bead start/stop points, ramped transitions—are applied in the next‑generation control interface.

Intelligent Material Management

Each gasket or adhesive has unique dispensing characteristics. The evo 600 centralises these parameters in a global database, allowing operators to store, label, and recall settings instantly—even years later.

Touchless Optical Precision

As part designs shrink, precision becomes critical. Mechanical probes struggle with uncured or flexible beads. The evo 600’s confocal optical sensor measures parts and beads without contact, either before or after dispensing. Pre‑dispensing measurements enable automatic compensation for part variations; post‑dispensing checks validate bead quality in real time.

Dirk notes, “With the confocal system we can measure every 0.03 mm (30 µm) at 20 m/min. Customers get instant feedback on bead quality—a game‑changer.”

Ready for Automation and Human Operation

The evo 600 is designed for easy integration into automated production cells. It can be purchased without an enclosure for robotic lines or with a protective housing for stand‑alone use. Safety features include side‑mounted light curtains that stop the machine instantly if the barrier is breached.

This flexibility lets a single evo 600 transition seamlessly from prototype work to full‑scale automated production.

 

Operator‑Focused Ergonomics

Accessibility and comfort guided the design. The evo 600’s open, step‑in configuration gives operators direct access to the work area and an easily reachable side‑mounted touchscreen. No obstructing panels mean efficient, ergonomic operation.

A New Benchmark for Dispensing Technology

After a year of development, DATRON unveiled the evo 600 on 23 April 2024 at its German headquarters. The system is engineered for 24/7, high‑volume production with unmatched speed, precision, and reliability.

Dirk proudly states, “We have the shortest cycle time possible. As far as I know, no competitor can dispense faster.”

Applications of the DATRON evo 600

The evo 600 excels in demanding, high‑precision industries, including:

• EMI Shielding Gaskets – Protecting electronic devices from radio‑frequency interference. The geared pump handles abrasive, metal‑filled materials used in aerospace, military, radar, and 5G telecommunications.
• Fuel Cells – Precise micro‑beads for assembling up to 100 bipolar plates, ensuring assembly accuracy. The speed offers a cost‑effective alternative to injection moulding.
• Touch Displays – Aesthetic precision for bonding glass panels and frames.
• Injection‑Moulded Housings – Plastic and metal enclosures requiring exact gasketing.
• Optical Sensor Assemblies – Precision bonding of glass components where the bead can be inspected afterwards.

The Future of High‑Performance Dispensing

The DATRON evo 600 marks a major leap forward in speed, accuracy, and integration. Built for today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing challenges—from EMI shielding to hydrogen fuel cells—it sets a new standard for automated precision dispensing.

Congratulations to DATRON’s R&D team for this remarkable advancement—a true evolution in dispensing technology.

See the DATRON evo 600 in Action!